Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Paying It Forward to Other Single Parents
My daughter was three months old when I finally decided to leave. But I was six months pregnant when I was planning to. I finished some college and was bartending, but I decided to move in with him and became pregnant. I was eight weeks pregnant and landed a job as a server. This was helpful to me; nobody else wanted to hire someone who was pregnant. I was so grateful. I still am.
By Cierra Collins7 years ago in Families
Head Versus Heart
Have you ever had something on your mind and needed to get it out? Well, that is where I am at right now. I have something in my head I need to share. It needs to come out before I crumble. Hard part about it is finding someone to talk to, so here I am. I was hoping to find someone not related to me, someone who won't tell me what they think I want to hear, but the truth. Someone not afraid to shake me out of this. I so hate when my heart and my head go to battle. I have no clue which to follow.
By Lilithea Adasia7 years ago in Families
2012
I don't know why miscarriage is such a taboo subject and why no one ever feels they can talk about it but as a miscarriage survivor (and yes I say survivor because getting through it is a battle), I can't talk about it enough. Not because I want sympathy or the attention but more because I want people to know they are not alone.
By Cortney Grezlik7 years ago in Families
To All the Girls Who Grew up Without a Dad
Three little girls run around in the basement—which their mother has deemed their personal play space—laughing and shrieking in delight. On the floor is a man wrapped up in a sleeping bag, rolling around pretending to be a giant caterpillar intent on catching his prey; AKA my sisters and I. We jump on the backs of the sofas, something my mother never allowed us to do, to escape his playful clutches.
By Sophia Chajon7 years ago in Families
Things You Shouldn’t Say to Someone Who Doesn’t Have Kids
Everyone picks and chooses the milestones they’d like to experience throughout life, whether that be college, marriage, home ownership, or kids. However, somehow most people still expect you to do all of the above; and, when you don’t, are quite confused and concerned with things that, frankly, aren’t their business. Having children is a highly personal decision, and while some can keep quiet about it, others feel a strong urge to tell you exactly their thoughts on the matter, particularly when it comes to the issue of choosing to have or not have children. If the idea of not having a kid (or two or three) simply baffles you, then you’ve come to the right place; here are things you shouldn’t say to someone who doesn’t have kids, no matter how you know them or how you feel about the issue.
By Evelyn Starr7 years ago in Families
How I Went from an Only Child to a Woman with Two Siblings, Seemingly Overnight... at 40
It was a typical lazy Sunday. My kid was playing video games, I was folding and hanging up laundry. I decided a needed a break, so I went on Facebook, because...isn’t that what we all do while breaking? I had friend requests from some people whose last name I recognized, so I thought nothing of it. I accepted them all and went about my day doing laundry.
By Andrea Ortiz7 years ago in Families
So You Are a Photographer and Gave Away a Few Prints?
So you gave away a few prints. No big deal. Don’t sweat it. I probably would have done the same thing. You did a sales session, the husband wasn't very kind to mom.
By DM Werner7 years ago in Families
My Choice to be Childfree—Part One
People who don’t want kids are constantly assaulted with questions whose answers are none of anyone’s business, and then dismissed when we provide the answers we really don’t owe anyone. Our choices are a comment on our lives and our lives alone, yet so many people take offense to it as though it affects them. What we say about parenthood and about kids doesn’t apply to anyone else, their lives, or their kids. Yet too many people internalize and take our choice and any instance in which we’re outspoken about it as an attack on their choices and their children. Don’t get me wrong: I know being a mom is hard. That’s not what this is about. It’s about the fact that women who are childfree are constantly invalidated and dismissed by society, other women, and sexist men. As much as some people might feel attacked by a list of reasons not to have kids, this isn’t meant to be antagonistic. It’s meant to be validating for people like me who have never wanted kids and have encountered antagonistic behavior at every turn as a result. So, if you’re like me and have made the choice to be childfree, here are 70 of reasons not having kids is great:
By Stripes Joplin7 years ago in Families
Untold Stories
In order to tell the story properly I think it's only right to start from the very, very beginning. So here goes nothing.
By Julie Barrientes7 years ago in Families
Adventure for Us
Ever since we were little, my sister, Mackenzie, and I went on adventures. We went everywhere together and were considered to be inseparable by most. With only a years difference between us, we were closer than any of our other siblings, and we knew it. Of course, we fought, but it wasn’t often.
By Will Jackson7 years ago in Families
A Letter to My Brother
Friday, April 28, 2018 will always be the day my life stopped and forever changed. The day where you were taken too soon. In one day, I had to face the fact that I would have to accept the unimaginable, leave my old life behind, and start looking at life from a different point of view, one where you were no longer with us. I had known no other life without you and it physically hurt to think about living this way.
By Dana Lee7 years ago in Families
The Struggle Is Real... but Worth It!
Have you heard the saying "The struggle is real?" I finally know what that means. And let me tell you, it's true. I didn't plan to be a single mom. I married my high school sweetheart. We spent 20 years together, but ultimately his addiction to alcohol led to him cheating multiple times. I was raised to believe you get married once. If it's broken, you fix it. The problem was I let him walk all over me. I think it was out of the comfort of just having him there. He was familiar and my best friend. But people change. Sadly he changed for the worst. When he ultimately left us (I say us, because he left the kids too.) for another woman and her kids, it hurt, it hurt bad. I'm not gonna lie and say it's been easy. I do my best. But some days I don't have money to pay the bills or buy food. We struggle. I spend a lot of nights crying myself to sleep. I think the tears are more out of being scared instead of sadness. Scared that I'm not enough of a parent that my children ultimately need. I do my best and I try to remain strong for them. But somewhere along the way, I not only lost a husband but all of our couple friends are now friends with him and his new girl and I feel alone. More alone than I'd like to admit. But the truth is, I am alone. I have my kids, but that's not the same as a friendship or relationship. I can't vent to my kids when I've had a bad day. I don't want them to think momma is sad, worried, or even stressed. I like them to see me as strong and doing what needs to be done. I've gone plenty of nights where food was scarce, so "Mom was feeling sick" or "I had already eaten." My kids come first. They are my priority in life. It's my job as their mom to make sure they are safe, happy, and good people and I think I'm doing a pretty damn good job at that. Somewhere though, I lost me. My kids are my life, and that's not a bad thing. But I miss going out, even if it's to a movie. I miss companionship. I miss living that life that doesn't involve homework or video games. And feeling like that makes me feel so guilty in a way, so I push those feelings away and put on a smile. Don't get me wrong it's not all bad and tough, every day they amaze me in some way. I am so lucky to get to wake up to their beautiful smiles and hugs. Recently my oldest (19) moved out and that's been tough. We all miss her so much. But when I start crying missing her and I realize that I've done my job as a good mom because she is out living her life and pursuing her dreams. And she is a good person. That's all I want for all of my kids. So this is for any of you single moms who may feel like this or any women trapped in a bad marriage and are scared to leave. Let me tell you, it can be done! You are capable of doing this. Our kids are reminders every day of why we can do this. So I say to you, the struggle is real, but I got this, you got this...we got this!
By Amber B. 7 years ago in Families